Severe Weather Cancellation Policy
The safety of our members, staff, and visitors is our top priority. In the event of severe weather, including snowstorms, ice storms, tornadoes, and other hazardous conditions, the following policy will guide decisions regarding club closures and cancellations.
Members should always use their best judgment and prioritize personal safety. If travel is unsafe in your area, please stay home even if the club remains open.
Decision-Making, Timing & Notification
Decision Makers
Decisions on club closures should be made by a group that includes the Board President, ice crew representative(s), Club Manager, and League Commissioner.
- Because weather conditions and available information can change quickly, and individuals may be unavailable due to work or other commitments, discussion among the available parties is recommended.
- If the ice crew determines that conditions are too unfavorable to safely operate the facility, curling must be cancelled.
Advance Notice
When severe weather is forecast and expected to impact travel or safety, the club will assess available weather information and make a cancellation decision no later than three hours before the start of the affected event or league draw.
Notification
Members will be notified of cancellations by email.
Winter Weather
The club will use the following resources when evaluating winter-weather conditions:
- Indiana Department of Homeland Security Travel Advisory Map
- INDOT 511 Road Conditions
- Available weather forecast information
Warning or Watch
If Madison, Marion, or Hamilton counties are under a Warning or Watch, curling should be cancelled.
Advisory
If Madison, Marion, or Hamilton counties are under an Advisory, curling may be cancelled if conditions are expected to deteriorate.
Particular consideration should be given to increasing snowfall of approximately two inches or more and ice accumulation during the scheduled curling period. Members should always exercise caution, use their best judgment, and prioritize safety.
Severe Thunderstorm & Tornado Weather
The club will use the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center as a primary source of severe-weather information.
If severe weather is forecast to impact the club during the activity window—from approximately 1.5 hours before the draw begins through 3 hours after the draw begins—the club will evaluate cancellation based on the forecast risk level.
Forecast Risk Levels
- Level 4 — Moderate or Level 5 — High: The recommendation is to cancel curling activities.
- Level 3 — Enhanced: If a tornado watch is also in effect, the club should consider cancelling curling activities.
- Level 2 — Slight or Lower: The club will generally not cancel curling solely based on the forecast level, but members should remain diligent in monitoring current conditions.
Rescheduling & Refunds
- When possible, cancelled events or league draws will be rescheduled.
- If rescheduling is not feasible, refunds or credits may be issued on a case-by-case basis for special events or rentals.
- Regular league play is typically not refunded due to fixed league fees.
Member Responsibility
- Members are encouraged to use their best judgment and prioritize safety. If travel is unsafe in your area, please stay home even if the club remains open.
- Members who cannot attend due to local weather conditions should notify their team as early as possible.
Additional Weather Resources
Additional resources that may be used when evaluating conditions include:
- Weather Prediction Center: Provides information related to excessive rainfall, flooding, and winter weather outlooks, including probable snowfall, ice accumulation, and freezing rain probability.
- Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussions: Mesoscale Discussions often precede watches issued by the Storm Prediction Center and identify areas where severe-weather development may be increasing.
